LT

[eyehead]

Sweet!!! What a backfield that would be.......Hopefully they sign him.

[Scott K]

Quote:

Free agent LaDainian Tomlinson now says he would have no problem being limited to the third-down role with the Vikings.

"I think that's what was lost in San Diego because I was the only guy that could really carry the ball 20 times," said Tomlinson. "So my third-down role was reduced. So now I'm looking for that. It's something I can do and I can fit in well." Chester Taylor had 138 touches in the same role last season.

[Born2Fish]

Thanks for the updates! Let's bring in LT Ziggy!

[FISHINGURU]

Lets Go LT!!!!

[Outfitter17]

If LT was here at least we know we would have a back that could hold onto the ball during crunch time. Lets sign him up.

[Randyjr.]

Gopher's Coach, Brewster's take on LT. Brewster coached for the Chargers while LT was there.

Brewster: "He takes an extremely professional attitude to a job. He's one of the hardest-working players I've ever been around. He's one of the classiest players. He does a great job of helping young players.

"I think the Vikings' situation is a perfect situation for LaDainian. He can be a complementary back to Adrian Peterson. LaDainian catches the ball extremely well, picks up the blitz and still can run the football very well. I think he could help Adrian in a lot of different ways. He does a great job with ball security. He could be a great mentor for Adrian Peterson."

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/87291117.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiU9PmP:QiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

[Scott K]

Quote:

Vikings GM Rick Spielman insisted Thursday that there's no pressure to finalize a deal with LaDainian Tomlinson before he leaves team headquarters.

Spielman isn't bowing to the pressure put on by Tomlinson's agent, who scheduled a timely visit with the Jets on Friday. Tomlinson shouldn't expect a deal greater than Thomas Jones' two-year, $5 million deal with the Chiefs.

[pegleg]

Chester Taylor was making about $3 million with the Vikings last year. If they can get LT for $5 million for 2 years that would be a steal.... Get it done.

[Scott K]

I just don't see LT being an upgrade over C. Taylor!

[Born2Fish]

Well it's actually a moot point being that Taylor is now a Bear. But I would say that LT is an upgrade over who we have right now to come in on 3rd down. I think I would much rather have a proven vet like LT to handle the ball on 3rd down or some passing situations, than having a 2nd year guy that has little experience come in on those vital 3rd down situations. The vikes options are pretty slim right now anyway. And if LT doesn't pan out, we have Young or even Johnson to fall back too. Which is what they would have to do if he does not sign anyway. I say sign the guy, lets see what he can do. Spielman doesn't sound like he wants to be hasty and make a move quickly just to make a move. He want's to wait it out a bit and see what the market holds for him to maybe get the price down a little? Idk, but I haven't been to fond of the Vikes waiting it out with a player just to watch him walk to another team. I can smell this same thing happening all over again.

[Randyjr.]

I completely get that but the point is moot now; we don't have Chester Taylor anymore but there still is a void. We still do have Albert Young. Below is Albert Young's Rookie sheet from SI with brief comments. Regardless of weather we go with LT or not, the team will need depth. It is probable that Young will not be able to step in and do the work Taylor did, and LT might.

Position:

RB Class:

Sr School:

Iowa Conference:

Big Ten Ht., Wt.:

5-8, 207 40 Time:

4.59

BIOGRAPHY: Three-year starter who posted 206/968/6 as a senior while also adding 23/212/1 catching the ball. Posted a career-high 1334 rushing yards as a sophomore when he led the Big Ten Conference.

POSITIVES: Strong, well-built ball-carrier with good vision. Patient, waits for blocks to develop, and displays a burst through the hole. Uses an effective straight-arm to keep runs alive and shows the ability to bounce around defenders. Sifts his way through traffic on the inside. Solid receiver out of the backfield.

NEGATIVES: Shows a lot of indecision carrying the ball. Does not pick up much yardage off initial contact.

ANALYSIS: Young has been productive the past three years as a ball-carrier and pass-catcher. His best shot at the next level is as a situational/third-down back.

PROJECTION: Undrafted Free Agent

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2008/draft/players/5277.html#ixzz0htmEIYcH

In two years Young has amassed 12 carries. This not a post slamming Young, but just suggesting that the void is there and we should go after the best possible player to fill the roles available on the team. Are there are possibilitie besides LT? Larry Johnson and Kevin Jones are still available. But they may not be better options than LT, nor are they necesarrily intersted in playing fo rthe Vikings.

[Randyjr.]

Funny must have posted at the same time - like minds

[pegleg]

LT the past 2 years

Receiving 20 catches 154 yards 7.7 ave

Receiving 52 catches 426 yards 8.2 ave

Rushing 223 carries 730 yards 3.3 ave

Rushing 292 carries 1110 yards 3.8 ave

Chester the past 2 years

Receiving 44 catches 389 yards 8.8 ave

Receiving 45 catches 399 yards 8.9 ave

Rushing 94 carries 338 yards 3.6 ave

Rushing 101 carries 399 yards 4.0 ave

It looks pretty close. If LT has half the carries does his average go up? Also his does catches per season increase, although 2 years ago he caught a lot of passes.

[zepman]

Was reported this afternoon that LT may have up to 3-4 other visits scheduled with other teams. IMO, he'll sign with the team who will say, "we believe you're still the man".

[james_walleye]

Is he still in town?

[james_walleye]

my bad i found it....

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4987283

[Loon]

I believe Spielman has earned our trust. I'll go with what ever he thinks is fair value.

We don't play games and we can trust that our offer was right where it needed to be.

When we want guys, we usually get them.

When we NEED guys, we always get them.

This is a want. We can't overpay for something we want.

Chester signed his deal before we ever dreamed Peterson would fall to us. He was making starter money as a backup, but it's not the way we'd like to run our business. It was a special circumstance that we'd like to avoid as much as possible.

This being an un-capped year may change the thinking, but it's still a business that needs break even and if you make too many $2 million mistakes you start dumping salaries and breaking up your nucleus.

But again...we don't put ourselves in that position very often because of Spielman so we can trust that the offer was where it needed to be.

[james_walleye]

I wonder why he got into the limo with a vikings jersey in hand?

[Inthehollow]

I think that would be sweet if they could get it done just think ap lt in a wing formation behind favre. At least I think it would be cool the d's would not know what to cover.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

.

This is a want. We can't overpay for something we want.

I agree with everything you said, Loon, except for this.

We NEED a solid back-up RB. Considering what is out there, and what we have a team built for and want to accomplish, LT is the one we want.

I really hope we get him instead of Westbrook, or taking a flier on a no-namer.

[koonie]

It would be nice to sign LT, but it's not an absolute must. It's not like there won't be more guys available later in the offseason. No sense paying too much here. I also think AP can take on a bigger role on third down.

I'd like to see us sign LT but it's not a huge necessity. Runningbacks are a dime a dozen nowdays. Third down backs even moreso.

[Born2Fish]

But that is a pretty darn good 3rd down back if you ask me. And if your a team that just was within a whisker of making the Superbowl last year, do you not do everything possible to make that push to get into it this year? And can you honestly tell me that you would rather have anyone else than LT as our 3rd down back? Someone like that to help AP hold on to the ball? His veteran leadership in the locker room alongside Favre(assuming he comes back). This guy plays hard every down. That is someone I would want on my team. Maybe its not a NEED, but it sure as heck would not hurt to have someone of his caliber on the team either.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Exactly B2F!

What happens if AP gets hurt or cannot cure his fumble-itus? LT is the guy we need!

[Outfitter17]

Bruledrifter is right, we need a good backup that can hold the ball if AP gets hurt. The way he runs with reck less abandonment, he is due to get hurt sometime and we need someone thats a quality replacement.

[Juneau4]

Going to the Jets